ENVF Atmospheric and Environmental Database

For our educational and research work, the Environmental Central Facility (ENVF) of Institute for the Environment, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) gathers and archives atmospheric and environmental data / information available on the internet.

Atmospheric and environmental data come from many different sources and in different formats. Typically, it takes a long time for our researchers or students to be familiar with a few data types. Even then, it will still be very time-consuming for them to gather and decode all the data available for their specific research or educational objectives. These make it difficult for them to develop an overall perspective that is very important for a deeper understanding of atmospheric and environmental interactions.

Hence, an atmospheric and environmental database have been developed with an expert plotting / data query interface to allow our researchers and students easy and efficient access to most of the archived information, skipping the initial difficulties of data collection and decoding. As the primary objective of this system is to assist our researchers and students in their research and academic work, our database system and our plotting / data query interfaces are under constant modifications / upgrades. Errors, both systematic and random, will occur and we appreciate any effort for pointing out such errors. Any other suggestions for improving our system are also welcomed. Please send your suggestions to webienv@ust.hk or fax them to (852)-2358-1582.

ENVF and HKUST (and all its staff) make no warranty or representation with respect to the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the information contained herein, and shall not have any legal liability (including liability for negligence) for any loss, damage, or injury which may result from the supply or use of such information.

The Global Telecommunication System (GTS)

The Global Telecommunication System (GTS) is part of the World Weather Watch Program of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The system consists of integrated networks of telecommunications facilities and services for the rapid, reliable collection and distribution of observational data and processed information. The bulk of the atmospheric data in our atmospheric and environmental database are recorded observations available on the GTS network.

Regional GTS plots (METAR)

This page is mainly based on hourly aviation weather reports (METAR) available on the GTS network. There are six plots on this page, including Temperature, Dew Point, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Sea Level Pressure and Visibility. These plots are updated once every hour.

Regional GTS plots (SYNOP)

This page is mainly based on surface weather information (SYNOP) available on the GTS network. There are eight plots on this page, including Precipitation, Temperature, Dew Point, Sea Level Pressure, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Relative Humidity and Visibility. These plots are updated once every three hours.

Spatial 2D plots for selected times

This page is for making spatial (latitude-longitude) plots of selected atmospheric and environmental parameters. The atmospheric and environmental parameters are classfied into five catagories, namely (1) Hourly Meteorological Data, (2) Upper-level Meteorological Data, (3) Daily Meteorological Data, (4) Monthly Meteorological data and (5) Air Quality Data.

Vertical Sounding Plots for selected times and locations

This page is for making vertical sounding plots at selected times and locations.